Pseudomyrmex goeldii (Forel)

Ward, Philip S., 2017, A review of the Pseudomyrmex ferrugineus and Pseudomyrmex goeldii species groups: acacia-ants and relatives (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 4227 (4), pp. 524-542 : 535

Pseudomyrmex goeldii (Forel)

( Fig. 4 )

Pseudomyrma goeldii Forel 1912: 28 . Syntypes, three workers, Sorocaba , São Paulo, Brazil (Göldi) ( MHNG) [Examined] [One syntype worker also imaged on AntWeb: CASENT0907543].

Worker measurements (n = 3). HL 0.81–0.87, HW 0.65–0.66, MFC 0.009–0.010, CI 0.76–0.80, REL 0.55–0.56, REL2 0.69–0.73, FCI 0.014–0.015, FI 0.49–0.53, PLI 0.51–0.59, PWI 0.48–0.56.

Worker diagnosis. Larger species (HL 0.81–0.87, HW 0.65–0.66) in comparison with other members of the goeldii -group, with shorter eyes (see REL and REL2 indices); juncture between dorsal and declivitous faces of propodeum only weakly angulate; in profile anterodorsal face of petiole ascending about as steeply as posterodorsal face. Head smooth and shiny with scattered fine punctulae; pronotum similar, but remainder of mesosoma becoming sublucid, with coriarious-imbricate sculpture; luster of petiole, postpetiole and gaster dulled by moderately dense pubescence. Rather uniformly dark brown, appendages slightly lighter.

Comments. This species is distinguished by the combination of relatively large size (HL 0.81–0.87, HW 0.65– 0.66), shiny puncticulate head, and weakly angulate juncture of the dorsal and declivitous faces of the propodeum. The eye appears to be shorter than in other members of the goeldii group (REL 0.55–0.56 versus 0.57–0.66 in other species; REL2 0.69–0.73 versus 0.75–0.87).

Distribution and biology. P. goeldii is known only from the type series collected more than a century ago in southeastern Brazil by Emílio Goeldi. The type locality (Sorocaba) is located within the Atlantic rainforest region.

Figures

FIGURES 4 – 6. Pseudomyrmex goeldii group, workers, full-face dorsal view of head (a) and lateral profile of body (b). 4, P. goeldii, Brazil (CASENT 0907543); 5, P. laevifrons, Bolivia (CASENT 0762973); 6, P. micans, Peru (CASENT 0794101). Images from AntWeb (www. antweb. org); photographers Will Ericson (4) and Matthew Prebus (5, 6).